Jesus "Won" My Heart?
Here's a song that, when I first heard it, struck me with the use of the word "won."At The Foot Of The Cross (Ashes To Beauty)
Kathryn Scott (c2003 Vertical Worship Songs)
At the foot of the cross where grace and suffering meet
You have shown me your love through the judgment You received
And You've won my heart
Yes, You've won my heart, now I can
(Refrain)
Trade these ashes in for beauty and wear forgiveness like a crown
Coming to kiss the feet of mercy, I lay every burden down
At the foot of the cross
At the foot of the cross where I am made complete
You have given me life through the death You bore for me
And You've won my heart
Yes, You've won my heart, now I can
(Refrain)
So here's my question: Is it biblical, i.e. theologically correct, to say that Jesus "won" my heart? What biblical support, or lack thereof, is there for this statement?
posted by TSHusker @ 9/05/2007 09:06:00 PM
5 comments
5 Comments:
I certainly don't like the use of the word, but I'd have to do some study to see if there's any biblical support for it.
It sounds like there's some kind of contest that Satan lost and Jesus won. "Well, it was close but Jesus you've come out on top. Congrats!"
I really don't think there's any uncertainty with respect to our salvation. God does not hope that we will be saved, He simply does it. There is no contest, no nervous hand-wringing.
A quick search shows only 1 reference that uses "won" that is even close to that song's intended meaning. "Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives." -- 1 Peter 3:1
However, there are many more verses like 1 Thess. 1:4 -- "For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you" -- or 1 Peter 2:9 -- "But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light."
I think God "winning" some kind of contest for our affections isn't consistent with the gospel.
Thanks for stopping by and posting your (as usual) "right on" comment!
The idea of God being in a contest and winning my heart, just doesn't sit right with me, and I don't see any biblical support for it.
Blessings!
Tom
I agree with you that perhaps chosen would have been a better word; but would you not agree that salvation did cost God a battle? I feel like its dangerous to focus too much on either won or chosen because a battly was won on calvery. Although Im struggling to become a calvinist, I would say that chosen is true as well. Any thoughts?
Thanks for the post, Jordyne. I know that in the whole song I'm only looking at one word - "won" - but I thought I'd through out my thought on it nevertheless. I'm glad it got you thinking about it. That was the idea.
I think the Bible speaks about us being in a battle, but I'm not sure there are any references that God is in some form of battle, or contest, for our heart. We were chosen, predestined, before the foundations of the earth. (Eph. 1:3-14)
I'm still mulling this one over, but I do appreciate you stopping by and posting your thoughts.
Blessings on you!
Tom
The word may rub Calvinists the wrong way, however, there is nothing unScriptural about the word "won," nor any reason to quibble over it. Someone already pointed out 1 Peter 3:1, and I will point out another. Proverbs 11:30, "He that winneth souls is wise." If we shy away from "won," then we must also eschew other forms of the word, including 'soulwinning'! Any Baptists hearing this? If a soul can be "lost," then it can certainly be "won," which is done by reaching the heart.
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